PORTISHEAD is celebrating retaining its gold medal status in the South West in Bloom contest for the fourth consecutive year.

Competing against Newquay, Falmouth, Exmouth and Trowbridge, green fingered volunteers from Portishead in Bloom also picked up the St Bridget Cup for being the best in its class for the second year.

Group chairman Sandy Tebbutt says she is delighted for the town, which was also awarded 12 neighbourhood awards.

In addition, a RHS Discretionary Award for Local Heritage was received for the planting of silver birch trees at the top of Roath Road, in memory of Squadron Leader Tommy Broom.

Group spokesman Chris Button said: “We are absolutely over the moon with the results and we hope that Portishead in Bloom will be able continue to keep up the good work.”

Members of the group are calling on the people of the town support its efforts by sponsoring the flower tubs and baskets that adorn the town.

The community group, which works tirelessly to keep Portishead decked in floral displays, fills the containers with summer and winter flowering plants.

North Somerset Council recently cut its funding of numerous displays around the town and Mrs Button says help from the community is needed more than ever now.

She said: “The town council provides us with a generous grant every year which it has substantially increased since the withdrawal of funds from North Somerset, but we still need members of the public behind us.”

The group is calling on businesses and individuals to sponsor a tub or flower basket for �15 to enable them to provide more sustainable planting throughout the town.

A DVD detailing much of the good work carried out by Portishead in Bloom, put together by Portishead Camera Club, is now on sale at a cost of �3.75.

For more details about sponsoring a tub or to purchase a DVD call Sandy Tebbutt on 01275 843566 or visit www.portisheadinbloom.org.uk